Electric Cars

    We are quickly reaching the tipping point of electric car sales in Australia with an abundance of new models heading our way at the same time as both the federal and state governments across Australia begin to offer more meaningful incentives to get buyers interested in making the switch away from the internal combustion engine (another term for the 'traditional' petrol or diesel car) and join the future of mobility.

    Like it or not, electric cars are indeed the future of mobility. Although it is unlikely the earth will run out of oil for hundreds of years to come, the push to reduce CO2 emissions from the transport sector has seen mandated pollution targets that are no longer possible to meet without the introduction of electric vehicles on a mass scale.

    Electric Vehicle Types

      • Hybrids (HEV),
      • Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV),
      • Full battery-powered electric vehicles (BEV),
      • Hydrogen electric vehicles (FCEV).

    Hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius have been around for over two decades and have over time morphed away from a standalone model like the Prius into more popular vehicles like the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. These vehicles use a standard fossil fuel-burning internal combustion engine in combination with a small electric motor (or motors) and a battery pack - they are often referred to as closed-circuit hybrids. Standard hybrid vehicles cannot be charged from an outlet and instead use momentum or the internal combustion engine to charge the battery pack while the vehicle is in motion.

    They provide very limited amount of electric-only driving range, but do however help reduce fuel usage substantially in suburban situations with heavy stop-start traffic by utilising the electric motor(s) to get the vehicle moving, which is often a huge energy burden on an internal combustion engine.

    Plug-in hybrids electric vehicles (PHEV) are similar to a closed-circuit hybrid in the sense that they marry a traditional fossil-fuel burning engine with an electric motor, but generally carry a much larger battery pack and also provide the option for external charging.

    Often, these vehicles allow for around 25-100km of electric-only driving, providing a very viable option for those that want to have the option for electric-powered only driving while in the city but have the capacity of extended range when doing long distance driving. A good early example of such a car is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

    Moving on to battery electric vehicles (BEV). The standout leader in this field has been Tesla for almost a decade, with the company selling more Model 3s in Australia in 2021 than all other electric cars combined. Electric vehicles use a significantly larger battery than PHEVs and as such have a typical range from around 160km (Mazda MX-30) to over 500km (Tesla Model 3, Model S). These vehicles can be charged at home at a slower rate, or at specialised fast charging stations situated all around the country.

    Hydrogen powered electric vehicles or FCEVs have been in development for almost as long as BEVs, however due to the perceived difficulty of hydrogen storage, generation and use, they have yet to find mainstream appeal.

    These Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles use compressed liquid hydrogen as their fuel source. The only by-product of combining hydrogen and air inside a FCEV is pure water, which is by no means bad for the environment. So while these vehicles do indeed have a tailpipe usually, they only output water. The benefit of an FCEV over a BEV is that like a conventional car, they can be refilled with hydrogen in just a few minutes, but good luck finding a hydrogen charging station in Australia!

    MORE: Electric v hybrid v petrol v diesel: Driveline technologies compared and explained

    Electric Vehicles Batteries Explained

    Batteries are perhaps the most critical and expensive part of an electric vehicle. Most electric vehicle batteries today are Lithium Ion - similar to that found in your smartphone or laptop, although HEVs tend to use the older and cheaper Nickel–metal hydride battery technology.

    A measurement of electrical power, usually abbreviated as “kW.” When used to express an electric motor’s maximum output, this is roughly equivalent to 1.34 horsepower.

    Much like a regular internal combustion vehicle is measured in kilowatts for its power output, electric vehicles use the same measurement. Compared to horsepower, each kW is around 1.34 horsepower. That's not to be confused for "kilowatts per hour," or kWh. For a regular car you might be used to seeing litres per 100km, or how many litres of fuel does it use to go 100km? For electric cars, that same standard of measure is used for kWh/100km. This gives the vehicle its expected range.

    Batteries typically have an extended warranty above and beyond the vehicle itself, to give owners confidence that their vehicle will maintain charge and provide the expected range for years to come. Typically, however, the data suggests that battery degradation of around 10-15 percent over a ten year period of typical driving is normal. This would mean a corresponding reduction in the original range.

    Charging Electric Vehicles Explained

    Charging has often been a point of frustration for potential electric vehicle owners as the rate of charge can differ so greatly from the battery, the outlet and even the plug itself. There are numerous levels of charging from your standard home outlet to 3-phase and then the fast charging solutions that available across numerous brands.

    Below you will find a list of useful information regarding everything you need to know about electric cars.

    Jordan Mulach

    Mercedes-AMG’s Porsche Taycan rival steps out

    Jordan Mulach

     Mercedes-AMG’s Porsche Taycan rival steps out

    Mercedes-AMG has shown off its rival to the Porsche Taycan for the first time, albeit with heavy camouflage.

    William Stopford

    Ford delays big electric SUV to focus on cheap, small electric ute, SUV - report

    William Stopford

     Ford delays big electric SUV to focus on cheap, small electric ute, SUV - report

    Ford's new family of affordable electric vehicles will reportedly include a small ute as well as an SUV, with the first due in 2026.

    Angus MacKenzie

    2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore review

    Angus MacKenzie

     2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore review

    Angus MacKenzie gets a first drive of Maserati's 410kW electric Grecale Folgore, ahead of its Australian launch in late 2024 or early 2025.

    William Stopford

    Mazda 6 replacement to have electric power, but there's a catch

    William Stopford

     Mazda 6 replacement to have electric power, but there's a catch

    Mazda is set to launch a pair of new models offering electric or range-extender powertrains, with one replacing the Mazda 6.

    William Stopford

    Hyundai, Kia, Genesis electric cars recalled for power loss, Australian impact unclear

    William Stopford

     Hyundai, Kia, Genesis electric cars recalled for power loss, Australian impact unclear

    A raft of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis electric vehicles are being recalled in South Korea as they could lose power.

    Jordan Mulach

    Failed electric car venture claims Hertz CEO

    Jordan Mulach

     Failed electric car venture claims Hertz CEO

    The fallout of Hertz’s failed attempt to bring more electric vehicles onto its rental fleet has claimed the scalp of its global CEO.

    Josh Nevett

    The premium small SUVs with the most boot space in Australia

    Josh Nevett

     The premium small SUVs with the most boot space in Australia

    Not all small SUVs were created equal, and boot space is a key factor that sets them apart.

    Derek Fung

    Honda and Nissan confirm they may team up on electric cars, safety tech

    Derek Fung

     Honda and Nissan confirm they may team up on electric cars, safety tech

    The shift to electric vehicles continues to throw up interesting combinations of companies that are now willing to partner up.

    Derek Fung

    Skoda Epiq concept previews affordable electric SUV

    Derek Fung

     Skoda Epiq concept previews affordable electric SUV

    The €25,000 ($41,500) electric car segment is about to get crowded, with the new Skoda Epiq set to join the fray from next year.

    James Wong

    2024 Abarth 500e review

    James Wong

     2024 Abarth 500e review

    The Abarth 500e takes an age-old formula and electrifies it for the modern era. It's fast, fun, and flawed – that's exactly why I love it.

    James Wong

    2024 Lexus UX goes all electrified, hybrids get power boost

    James Wong

     2024 Lexus UX goes all electrified, hybrids get power boost

    The Lexus UX is now all-electrified in Australia. Prices and equipment levels are up, as is power in the UX 300h hybrid.

    William Stopford

    Australia-bound brand Zeekr aims at electric Kombi

    William Stopford

     Australia-bound brand Zeekr aims at electric Kombi

    Zeekr, sister brand to Polestar and Volvo, is launching an electric people mover that'll battle the Volkswagen ID. Buzz.

    Next Page
    1
    2
    3